How do you define leadership?

Sir, I like think about it as a mirror. If you would not follow your self as a leader then we need to rethink of our leadership stile. To be a leader, first we need learn how to follow and then we understand that a leader is one who not only seeks self-accomplishment but a leader that seeks the development of our subordinates. Nothing will motivate someone to follow more than when they understand and see that the leader genuinely cares for them. That builds trust and loyalty. That is when the relationship changes from just respecting the rank and position to an association of the individual as their leader and a true commitment to each other and the organization.

As a leader in the Army I would define it, in regard to the Army, as ensuring your Soldiers and trained and ready to conduct their wartime mission, at all times. Ensuring that they know that they are not in the Army for any other reason than to fight and win wars.

Accomplish your mission and take care of your troops. Everything else is a function of how you execute-whether good or bad. A good leader will accomplish the mission and take core of their troops. A not so good one will not. Lousy ones get people hurt and/or killed unnecessarily.

Leadership uses motivation, excellent training, fosters good morale, and lets their troops know that their trust and loyalty is a two way street. Someone kissing their bosses ass or looking for ribbons is a liability to everyone involved. Leadership is about teaching the skills to survive the next battle.

Leadership is taking care of your troops and their families after they ETS and you are retired.

BG Bosse,

My definition for leadership is: The right person at the right place and the right time who makes the right decisions. My leadership credo is summed up in this: When we succeed the credit goes to the Soldier or Soldiers who accomplished that success. In instances where we fail to accomplish a set goal, the responsibility rests with me as a leader. Leadership requires vision and direction as you related, and from your activity level on this forum it is obvious you are a leader who is in touch with his troops.

Adding to this is the concept of: allowing subordinates to learn from mistakes, especially when the decision which resulted in a mistake is in support of your (the leaders) goal.

Punishment becomes needed when leaders fail to learn from previous mistakes or when someone intentionally wrongs the organization or an individual.

Respect is another key facet of leadership. Respect, such as you depict here by taking the time to post and read the posts of others, is reciprocal and needed at all levels of leadership.

Communication is key to success in leadership. One way communication is rarely effective, but sometimes needed to accomplish an immediate need. Being able to have frank and open discussions which are professional allows other leaders to grow. Understand and adopt a policy of loyal dissention. This concept means we agree in public and discuss in private any disagreement we may have. Learn to be an active listener. The youngest Private may have an idea which revolutionizes the Army.

Tying all of the aforementioned concepts together means loyalty, respect, communication, and direction. The one element not mentioned, which is tantamount to a successful leader, is trust. Subordinates must trust their leaders and conversely, leaders must trust subordinates. Trust is developed over time and based on actions, words, and deeds.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment,

SFC Joseph M. Finck

I was taught this as I was coming up in the ranks, there is a difference between an E-5 and a Sergeant. An E-5 is there to get paid and go home. A Sergeant is there to train, develop and mentor Soldiers.

Agreed... There isn't a piece of cloth on the planet that you can stick on your chest that will magically make you a leader. It's what you DO that defines you as such..

My best leaders have not only been competent at their jobs, they are patient and care about the success of their Soldiers.  They are willing to take the time to mentor Soldiers for success, and they want to see their Soldiers succeed.  They also uphold the standard and enforce that same standard.

COL Peter Mohan Rest in Peace A Soliders Soldier

Not looking for the typical board response.  LOL.